Healthy Moms Dictionary - Bipolar Disorder

What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder or manic-depressive illness is a mental illness in which the patient cycles through uncontrollable moods. This illness is not as common as clinical depression. People diagnosed as bipolar go through cycles of depression, hypo mania or elevated mood, mania or extremely elevated mood, and in some cases psychosis. These mood changes can be dramatic and rapid but in most cases they are gradual. Mania and depression can affect thinking, judgment and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems.

If you believe that you or a loved one may have bipolar disorder here are some symptoms to look for. Symptoms of a manic episode include:

• Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
• Excessively “high,” overly good, euphoric mood
• Extreme irritability
• Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
• Lack of concentration
  
• Little sleep needed
• Unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities and powers
• Poor judgment
• Spending sprees
• A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
• Increased sexual drive
• Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
• Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
• Denial that anything is wrong

Signs of a depressive episode include:

• Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being “slowed down”
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Restlessness or irritability
• Sleeping too much, or can’t sleep
• Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
• Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

Bipolar Disorder in Children
Bipolar disorder is less common among children. Although, more and more doctors are diagnosing kids with the illness at a very young age. According to Wikipedia, "Onset prior to age 10 has been found in an estimated 0.3% to 0.5% of bipolar patients, although some case reviews suggest higher figures. Nevertheless, findings indicate that the number of American children and adolescents treated for bipolar disorder increased 40-fold from 1994 to 2003, and continues to increase. The data suggest that doctors had been more aggressively applying the diagnosis to children, rather than that the incidence of the disorder has increased. The study calculated the number of psychiatric visits increased from 20,000 in 1994 to 800,000 in 2003, or 1% of the population under age 20."

Research has proven that more women suffer from depression than men. Women with bipolar disorder tend to have bipolar 2 which means that they don't have sever mania like men with the disorder do. Women with bipolar who wish to get pregnant should consult with their psychiatrist first.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Bipolar disorder is usually treated with medications and psychotherapy. Common bipolar medications include: lithium, anti convulsants, and anti psychotics. Lithium helps relieve the severity of manic episodes and may also help with depression. Anti convulsant medications have been proven to help stabilize mania in bipolar disorder. Anti psychotic medication is usually used in the short term to control psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. Other commonly prescribed medication to treat bipolar disorder are: calcium channel blockers, benzodiazepines and antidepressants.

Famous People With Bipolar Disorder
You'd be surprised to find out how many famous people suffer or suffered with this illness. Some actors and actresses with bipolar disorder include: Jim Carey, Robert Downey Jr.,Patty Duke, Ben Stiller, Tracy Ullman, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Robin Williams and Jonathon Winters. Some artists and musicians with bipolar disorder are: Ludwig Von Beethoven, Tim Burton, Francis Ford Coppola, George Fredrick Handel, Vincent Van Gogh, Robert Schumann, Rosemary Clooney, Jimi Hendrix and Charley Pride. Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Edgar Allen Poe and Mark Twain also had bipolar disorder.

If you believe that you or a loved one is suffering from bipolar disorder please get help right away. If you are not currently seeing a psychiatrist see your doctor to discuss your symptoms and get a referral. Medications and regular visits to a psychiatrist will keep this disorder in check.